This is my second visit to Bongeunsa Temple after close to 10 years. The temple is beautifully decorated with coloured lanterns to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday in May.

Below are guardians of Buddhism

Many people are bowing to Buddha in the main prayer hall. I try to avoid taking their photo.

I love such activities and the candles are crafted beautifully according to Zodiac sign

The main attraction for tourists in this temple is the giant statue of Maitreya Buddha. It is unlike the Chinese iconography that depicts Maitreya as a fat monk.

Some people (including me) would critiqued that it is wasteful to build such giant statue of Buddha. But in my previous visit I witnessed a lady praying and sobbing silently in front of this Buddha. The red tiled area is for devotee to pray. I guess she found solaces and was dealing with her grief. That alone was priceless and who knows, it might have saved her from worse thoughts and actions. So I no longer say giant statue is a waste of money….

Bongeunsa is a delightful place and they even have activities for foreigners to experience Buddhism.

After the temple visit, you can visit Coex Mall situated opposite the temple. I had vegan food there and there was plenty to explore there.

There is also an aquarium here but I did not visit. You might want to do so and spend more time in this area.